Online ettiquette and pausing

posted on August 29th, 2010, 8:08 pm

Was wondering what the consensus on pausing the game is.

Had a game earlier where I was distracted from the game 3 times by the kids. 

First time I simply dived to help my son while I was raiding a prayed I would not come out of it bad.
Second time I paused for minute and quickly sent apologies while I dealt with a small problem.  I hoped this would not upset anyone.
Third time my daughter decided to throw a bucket of water all over the room floor.  I knew I would take some time to clean up so instead of pausing asked all players for a truce and i would withdraw all ships to base.  Took me a few minutes to resolve before I returned and nobody had wiped me out while I was gone.  Although Red player was waiting for my return and attacked the moment i announced i was back.  >:(  Still, its fair, while I was away I gained lots of resources which may have contributed to our team's final victory.

So, what is the correct etiquette in these situations.  Especially when you have to react quickly and can't nicely request a pause and wait for responses from the other players?

In team games its especially awkward because your allies are relying on you, but to pause for 5 minutes or more could be very frustrating for all players.

posted on August 29th, 2010, 8:13 pm

Although it is of course up to the players involved, I'd say that in my experience nearly everybody is patient enough to wait for you without an explanation necessarily needed

posted on August 29th, 2010, 8:25 pm

Agreed Dom - I think it's more when people pause and unpause very quickly and constantly without explanation that people start getting eggy

posted on August 29th, 2010, 8:34 pm

You can always explain before the match starts that you've got kids and might have to pause from time to time.  So long as they know that "things are going to happen", the wait is fine.

posted on August 29th, 2010, 9:33 pm

My first game I forgot I was in MP and hit pause instead of enter to talk (used to pausing and alt tabbing out of game chatting I guess.) I personally wouldn't mind pausing, if it is prolonged or repeated I'd like to know why so doing as the previous poster said and explaining before the game would be good.

posted on August 30th, 2010, 1:45 am

Well I'm sure just about everyone understands that we are all human and that we actually have real lives other than the computer... As far as I know, just about everyone has been very understanding, and considerate when it comes to things like this. 

posted on August 30th, 2010, 2:01 am

True that most are patient enough to wait, though I have had the game unpaused on me while I was afk.  Lost an entire fleet too   Thankfully the attacking party didn't know, and agreed to let me recover before attacking again.  I would say we can all be reasonable.

posted on September 3rd, 2010, 12:17 am

Actually,3 hours long match without pause would be bad for your health.I recomend atleast 10-15 min pause after every hour and half.

posted on September 3rd, 2010, 9:55 am

I recommend "dont play one for 3h"...how is this interesting at all?

posted on September 3rd, 2010, 12:48 pm

I can safely say that im the most impatient person here and that wouldnt piss me off as long as you said something within 30-60 seconds that you would brb it wouldnt bother me so much.

Only thing that pisses me off is when someone says o i got a text and then pauses for 5 mins.... f**k off.
I get text messages when im playing but i dont pause, takes 11secs tops to compose a message and send, and if your that popular that you get so many you need to pause for 5 mins to catch up then dont bother playing, dealing with your kids is about the most reasonable excuse for pausing a game so i doubt anyone will have a problem.

posted on September 3rd, 2010, 1:48 pm

What about a 30 seconds rule? Just say "My 30 secs" and press pause. After 30 secs the other players are allowed to continue the game no matter if your back or not.

posted on September 3rd, 2010, 2:38 pm

What about a 30 seconds rule? Just say "My 30 secs" and press pause. After 30 secs the other players are allowed to continue the game no matter if your back or not.

thats a bit arbitrary and rather harsh. i prefer the way we deal with it now. on a per game per person basis.

posted on September 3rd, 2010, 3:37 pm

What about a 30 seconds rule? Just say "My 30 secs" and press pause. After 30 secs the other players are allowed to continue the game no matter if your back or not.

Bit stupid really if the game has hit 1hr plus some people have a weak bladder and must go , cant always be done in 30 seconds. i only go twice day but i have a very strong bladder.... cant be said for everyone a mate of mine goes more than 10 times a day and cant hold it.

posted on September 8th, 2010, 4:11 pm

Or they drink during play   One question on etiquette: Could it be considered impolite if a two player team meet in one room and play against another team via the internet? Would it be exploitable?

posted on September 8th, 2010, 4:29 pm

  I think it sounds like fun.  I have considered doing the same with some of my non FO playing friends, trying to convert them to the dark side.